Gandhi My Father in Oscar Library

Anil Kapoor's maiden production Gandhi My father directed by Feroz Abbas Khan has been selected to be part of the prestigious Academy of Motion Pictures Library(Oscar Library). The script will be there permanently for the reference of cinema students. World leaders like Nelson Mandela, President Makebhi and, recently, Nobel laureate Nadime Gordimer have highly praised the film. the academy got in touch with Anil Kapoor directly to procure the script. It seems Bollywood films are increasingly getting to be on the international film circuit. "Yes, it seems that we are on the radar. But, out of the blue, I received the call requesting for the script. They are now keeping track of what's happening in the Indian motion picture scene," says Anil.

Beyonce Knowles to rock India!

The buzz that's been making the rounds is now confirmed - the hugely popular hip hop group from LA, the Black Eyed Peas, fronted by the charismatic Fergie, will rock Banglore on October 16. And Beyonce Knowles will be in Mumbai doing a show on October 27.
T Venkat Vardhan, managing director of the company that is organising the shows, calls them a 'double whammy'. Fans of the Black Eyed Peas will be able to groove to all their fav numbers, which include Don't Plunk with My Heart, Let's Get It Started etc. The group will be in India for the first time as part of their Black Blue and You Tour.
Beyonce, R&B songwriter, singer, actor, dancer and designer, has a massive fan following of her own in India.

John breaks his silence!

He is rumoured to have a soured relationship with co-star Arshad Warsi and split from girlfriend Bipasha Basu, but John Abraham is unfazed by the grapevine buzz. The actor, who is busy shooting abroad, pursuing his international goals, says it is the media's inaccessibility to him that fans rumours.
"I would rather be seen than heard. I've always believed in working quietly and not making tall claims. I've always maintained that roles abroad would happen when they happen. At the end of the day Bollywood is my home. I'm damn lucky to be getting all these apportunities. The film industry has been very kind to me. I love the movies!
Talking about his comparison with Hollywood icon Antonio Banderas, he was quoted, "I come from a completely different cultural space. But, you do feel flattered when you are compared with a good-looking Hollywood icon like Banderas. I am not even two per cent of what he is."
About his problems with Arshad Warsi, "It's sad when incorrect things are written about me. I want people to know I am not a vindictive person. I am not going to sit here and clarify my non issues such as these. Every person in the unit would vouch for that. Neither Arshad nor I have spoken against each other. I have no clue who is spreading the rumours."

Chetan Bhagat to quit his IT job to persue his literary career

Chetan Bhagat may be a popular author today and about to make his foray as a scriptwriter in Bollywood, but so far, he has been loyal to his software job. Having tasted success in the literary world, Bhagat now plans to tap on a different set of keys. This IIT-IIM alumnus is now considering a different career option - writing.
Bhagat plans to take up writing full time. "I am working hard on my third book, presently and that requires a lot of concentration," says Bhagat. "I am a lazy person and balancing two jobs is not possible for me. I would like to devote quality time penning stories. Besides, as my wife and kids are shifting to Mumbai soon I want to spend as much time as possible with them. My wife has got a job there and my kids are growing up. I want them tp imbibe our traditional values. I want my children to be a part of our rich culture. I don't appreciate the fact that they don't speak Hindi."
The writer whose first book 'Five Point Someone' was a big hit, following which the Bollywood Director of the famous Munnabhai series, Rajkumar Hirani is toying with an idea of making a movie based on the book. According to Hirani, Shahrukh Khan is the perfect choice to play the lead role of the narrator, Hari, who is also one of the three protagonists of the book. However, Hirani is busy working on his next movie in the Munnabhai series, 'Munnabhai chale Amerika'.

Rakhi Sawant : 'Why can't I be cast in roles like Smita Patil?'

Item girl Rakhi Sawant, who has signed a new semi-autobiographical Broadway-style Bollywood musical called Balti Devi: Queen of Southall, is looking for an image makeover. "If I want, I can make people weep like Meena Kumari. I live in India and I do feel uncomfortable with my image sometimes. Whatever I have done so far is because the public demanded it. It's the public that's undressing me." says Rakhi. "Heroines send me SMS messages asking why I dress up the way I do. What right do they have to question me? Why can't a nice clean film like Swami click? And, why can't I be cast in roles like Smita Patil? Even she did hot scenes," she adds. Incidentally, her much-touted sting in Buddha Mar Gaya died a quiet death.

Keanu Reeves all set to play God Rama in the latest flick Hanuman!

Matrix star Keanu Reeves is expected to play the role of Lord Rama in Puru patel's film Hanuman. There are apprehensions as to whether or not a foreign actor be accepted as Rama. "Why not? There aren't any rules against it," says director Homi Adajania. However, he believes a face with ethnic features would definitely have made the character more identifiable.
But will the Indian audiences accept a foreign actor playing the role of Lord Rama? "If the Mahabharata could be produced in France and the Ramleela performed in Indonesia, why can we not accept a non-Indian face as Rama?" asks writer Javed Akhtar. "We should be happy, our mythology is becoming popular globally," says Shankar Mahadevan,"Moreover, the Indian audiences have matured."
But Adajania has his doubts,"It's unlikely that the Indian audiences will be able to identify with Reeves as Rama. If he speaks in Hindi, it will not appeal to the global audiences. And, if he speaks in English, he would not be able to connet with the Indian viewer."

Akshay-Katrina : New hot pair of Bollywood

Bollywood is well known for its hit jodis that have stood the test of time. The latest pair that seems to be leaving its mark on celluloid history is Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. In their very first film together, Raj Kanwar's Humko Deewana Kar Gaye in 2006, Akki and Kats displayed an amazing amount of that extra something, be it in their dancing prowess or their acting histrionics.
"It's another story altogether that the film didn't work, but it gave us a fabulous looking jodi," says a film analyst. Having been the first person to spot that extra something between the two, Raj Kanwar is glad he did so. "Their body language together is spectacular, and I am very sure that they will go down as a top pair to remember," says Kanwar.